Author: CT Green Bank

Capital for Change, Amalgamated Bank, Connecticut Green Bank team up to boost successful loan program

WALLINGFORD, Conn. (May 8, 2020) – An innovative collaboration among three financial entities has set the stage for more Connecticut homeowners to gain access to energy-efficiency loans while reducing costs up to 20 percent for many utility ratepayers.

The collaboration is among Capital for Change Inc., Connecticut’s largest full-service, nonprofit community development financial institution; Amalgamated Bank; and the Connecticut Green Bank.

“This new financial model is one of the few – if not the only – such arrangements in the United States helping to boost the growth of unsecured loans supporting consumer energy-efficiency and solar loans,” said Bert Hunter, Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President at the Green Bank.

“The model has proven to be a unique means of maximizing the leverage of ratepayer capital in achieving the state’s energy goals,” Hunter said.

“We’re deeply pleased to participate in what we believe is a new financial model for positive community development,” said Calvin B. Vinal, President and CEO of Capital for Change Inc., Connecticut’s largest full-service, nonprofit community development financial institution.

“This will allow us to make more funds available for energy-efficient and solar housing improvements in Connecticut,” Vinal said. “Participating utility ratepayers will see savings on their energy bills of 10 to 20 percent, depending on the energy measures installed and fuel source.”

“We are proud to join the Connecticut Green Bank and Capital for Change Inc. in providing energy efficiency loans to Connecticut residents,” said Keith Mestrich, president and CEO of Amalgamated Bank.

“As America’s socially responsible bank, we believe that our deposits can be used for creating a more sustainable planet and this collaboration affords us an opportunity to expand our impact,” Mestrich said.

The partnership has made available a $27 million line of credit for the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Finance Company (CEEFCo) leveraged by CEEFCo’s ratepayer funding and unsecured loan portfolio, allowing CEEFCo’s portfolio to grow to $36 million. CEEFCo is a nonprofit subsidiary of Capital for Change.

The new model allows CEEFCo to continue to grow its loan portfolio while minimizing the need for additional ratepayer capital, Hunter and Vinal said.

Financing arrangements closed in late December 2019 and took effect in February, Vinal said. At CEEFCo’s inception in 2011, initial funding was provided through legislative mandate by Connecticut energy utility Eversource, using approximately $17 million collected from ratepayers over 10 years.

With $12.1 million of this capitalization remaining, ratepayer funding has leveraged production of 6,000 loans for $51 million of capital funding at a cost of $5 million. In the past several years, this portfolio of unsecured loans went from $12 million to $24 million, and their earlier financial partner stopped lending.

“We required a different financing model to accommodate the need, which the Green Bank understood and so introduced us to Amalgamated Bank,” said Vinal.

“We’re extremely grateful that Amalgamated appreciates the quality of our portfolio and the impact we’re having on households throughout Connecticut, and that the Green Bank responded with its own support to make it work,” Vinal said.

“In the past several years, our portfolio of unsecured loans went from $12 million to $24 million, and our earlier financial partner stopped lending,” Vinal said. “We required a different financing model to accommodate the need, which the Greenbank understood and so introduced us to Amalgamated Bank.

Amalgamated is providing $22.5 million of funding and the Connecticut Green Bank $4.5 million, with the funding secured only by CEEFCo’s assets.

“This model has proven to be a unique means of maximizing the leverage of ratepayer capital in achieving the state’s energy goals,” Vinal said.

“It’s a great collaboration with financing institutions that support community development and energy sustainability,” Vinal said. “It provides us the liquidity needed to continue to grow that portfolio and provide Connecticut residents more opportunities to save on their energy costs.”

The concept also has broad positive implications for the state’s economy, he said.

“Nationwide, the energy sector is providing jobs in numbers that are similar to those in the automotive industry, led by solar and energy efficiency,” Vinal said. “By promoting energy efficiency, proactive financial models such as this one are helping to improve the environment, create local jobs and save homeowners money. ”

An extensive resource focusing on energy efficiency in Connecticut – including loan options – is maintained by the utility partnership Energize Connecticut at its website, EnergizeCT.com.

Galleria Stone will reduce operating expenses and increase efficiency

Middletown, CT (August 1, 2017) – Ferazzoli Imports of New England, Inc., which conducts business as Galleria Stone, an importer, distributor and fabricator of tile and natural stone, is the most recent business to reduce their energy burden by installing a renewable energy source on their building through Connecticut Green Bank’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE), an innovative program that helps property owners access affordable, long-term financing for smart energy upgrades to their buildings.

Northeast Smart Energy LLC of Hartford will install a 125 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system to the roof of the Galleria Design Center, located at 234 Middle Street in Middletown. The estimated annual energy cost savings exceeds $37,000.

“The C-PACE financing program is the smartest long-term solution for achieving our clean energy demands,” said Jerry Martorelli, owner of Galleria Design Center. “With C-PACE, we are able to reduce operation expenses and increase efficiency, all while making a measurable impact on the environment and surrounding community.”

Through C-PACE, a building owner can pay for green energy improvements over terms up to 25 years through a voluntary benefit assessment on their property tax bill. Building owners can secure long-term, low-interest capital to fund these energy improvements, with no up-front costs required. The program is structured so that the energy savings offset the benefit assessment – meaning positive cash flow for the business – and includes a technical review process that leaves building owners feeling confident in the predicted energy savings of their project.

This project is part of Connecticut Green Bank’s Energy on the Line program, funded through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Manufacturing Innovation Fund. Energy on the Line provides supplemental funds to eligible manufacturers who complete a qualifying green energy project using the C-PACE program.

“Manufacturers, who feel the burden of energy costs more than anyone, can realize substantial benefits from green energy projects,” said Mackey Dykes, vice president of commercial, industrial and institutional programs at Connecticut Green Bank. “C-PACE is a perfect fit for manufacturers, allowing them to take control of their energy costs and realize predictable positive cashflow. The solar project at Ferazzoli Imports is an excellent example of how green energy and C-PACE can improve a manufacture’s bottom line.”

Ferazzoli Imports of New England Inc., now doing business as Galleria Stone, was incorporated in 1988 as an importer, distributor and fabricator of tile and natural stone. Originally located in North Haven, Connecticut, Galleria Stone relocated its corporate headquarters in June 2002 to the 100,000 square foot Galleria Design Center in Middletown, CT. The Galleria Design Center includes an expansive 30,000 square foot showroom, indoor natural stone gallery and a state-of-the-art fabrication plant that helps Galleria Stone continue the tradition of elegance, craftsmanship and efficiency for which it is best known.

About Northeast Smart Energy

Northeast Smart Energy was established in May of 2007 by its founders whose vision is rooted in their love for our planet. Northeast Smart Energy’sprimary focus is to provide people with renewable and cost effective energy solutions that reduce our dependence on polluting sources of energy. Northeast Smart Energyis ready to help you do your part by reducing your environmental impact and leaving our planet in a condition of which our children would be proud.

The cost of doing business can be expensive, and many Connecticut business owners might not feel that they have control over factors that result in rising costs.

Building owners know that making energy improvements is one way to reduce operating expenses, but they may not understand how to get started. They might consider energy-efficiency upgrades or explore renewables, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, but financial questions can slow or derail their investigations. Instead of moving forward, they end up with deferred maintenance and aging equipment in uncomfortable, inefficient buildings.

But what if there was a way that building owners could make energy upgrades that improved their bottom lines, resulted in positive cash flow and a competitive edge, and made their buildings more comfortable? In Connecticut, where energy costs are high, it is possible to improve a building’s energy use and efficiency and create measurable savings. This “found” money can be re-invested into the business, strengthening a company’s ability to focus on its core mission and to thrive in the future. Building owners who make these upgrades also have more comfortable buildings for their employees, tenants or customers, and contribute to a healthier community and economy in Connecticut.

Finding the right way to pay for energy upgrades, however, requires balancing business priorities. There are bank loans and lines of credit, but these can have short repayment terms or high interest. A business owner might not have the desire, or ability, to take on this type of debt. Cash payment could be an option, though this method will immediately divert funds from a business’s primary competency, and it might take time to recover the cash outlay. Paying for energy improvements in these ways means building owners give up control of their cash flow, tying up resources and distracting them from what they need to focus their attention on most.

An innovative program called Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) offers a better option. Through C-PACE, a building owner can pay for green energy improvements over terms as long as 25 years through a voluntary benefit assessment on their property tax bill.

Building owners can secure long-term, low-interest capital to fund these energy improvements or renewables with no up-front costs. Best of all, the program is structured so that the energy savings offset the benefit assessment – meaning positive cash flow for the business – and includes a technical review process that leaves building owners feeling confident in the predicted energy savings of their project. This allows them to invest the savings into equipment, personnel, materials or whatever they need to achieve their goals. Deferred maintenance is no longer necessary, and renewables such as solar PV are in reach for building owners of all types, including nonprofits, manufacturers, commercial real estate, retail, and others.

For many businesses, especially those in energy-intensive sectors such as manufacturing, adding a renewable energy source can save money and enhance performance. This was the reason Paul Breglio, president of Crest Mechanical in Hartford, decided to go solar. At first, Breglio was stalled by the initial cost of the project, until he found C-PACE.

“With electricity rates being so high in Connecticut, we needed a way to bring that cost down,” said Breglio. “The C-PACE program allowed me to access low-cost and long-term financing to further support our desire to deploy solar energy and stabilize our energy costs over the long term.”

Through C-PACE, he was able to install a 55 kW roof-mounted solar PV system, which offers projected energy savings of more than $400,000 over the life of the upgrade. ForCrest Mechanical, which provides services including the construction and maintenance of mechanical systems, such as HVAC and cogeneration, to commercial, industrial and institutional customers, this savings is significant.

Galleria Design Center, an importer, distributor and fabricator of tile and natural stone, whose building is easily seen from I-91 in Middletown, is using C-PACE financing to add a 125 kW solar PV system. The estimated annual energy cost savings exceeds $37,000.

“The C-PACE financing program is the smartest long-term solution for achieving our clean energy demands,” said Jerry Martorelli, owner of Galleria Design Center. “With C-PACE, we are able to reduce operation expenses and increase efficiency, all while making a measurable impact on the environment and surrounding community.”

While C-PACE is not only for those in the manufacturing sector, manufacturing facility owners recently benefited from a program called Energy On The Line, a partnership between the Connecticut Green Bank, the Manufacturing Innovation Fund, and the state Department of Economic and Community Development. The program provided up to $50,000 in grant money for project-related expenses at manufacturing facilities.

More than 160 building owners across the state have benefited from solar PV and energy-efficiency projects financed using C-PACE, and more than $100 million in closed project financing has been made available. For more information, visitctgreenbank.com/business.

State’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program continues to be an economic development tool for Connecticut businesses

Rocky Hill, CT (July 24, 2017) – The Connecticut Green Bank announced its C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) program has reached the milestone of $100 million in total closed project financing. The solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy efficiency projects, which vary in size and scope, are saving more than $9.29 million annually in energy costs for nearly 170 building owners across multiple sectors.

The Green Bank, which administers the C-PACE program, seeks to make green energy more accessible and affordable to commercial and industrial property owners by providing no money down long-term financing for meaningful energy upgrades to their buildings. C-PACE enables building owners to finance qualifying energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements through a voluntary assessment on their property tax bill. As the program grows, more Connecticut businesses can achieve lower energy costs.

Reaching $100 million in closed project financing positions Connecticut’s program as a national leader. According to market data from PACENation, an industry group promoting Property Assessed Clean Energy, California is the only state to have closed a larger total sum of project financing for commercial PACE projects.

“Connecticut’s Green Bank has really been the national leader for C-PACE,” said David Gabrielson, the Executive Director of PACENation, the national non-profit that supports development of PACE programs nationwide. “The way they administer their program has really served as a great example for other program administrators throughout the U.S., and we congratulate the entire Green Bank team on this impressive milestone.”

The project that propelled the Green Bank over this milestone will be installed at Farmington Sports Arena (FSA). FSA is a 130,000-square foot modern indoor sports facility that is home to four indoor and three outdoor artificial turf fields as well as four natural grass outdoor fields. The project, which will be installed by 64 Solar, consists of two solar PV systems (170 kW total).

Since its inception in 2011, 166 C-PACE projects have been closed in 69 of the 128 municipalities that have opted-into the program. C-PACE funds have been used in manufacturing facilities, non-profits, houses of worship, retail establishments, office buildings, and other business entities. The projects consist of solar installations, new boilers, energy efficiency lighting measures, HVAC systems, and other energy improvements that help building owners to take control of their energy costs. Connecticut’s C-PACE program maintains an open market approach, allowing private capital providers to finance projects for building owners, and, in 2015, the Green Bank reached an agreement that provided it access to up to $100 million in private funding for C-PACE projects. Today, nearly 70% of the funding in the program consists of private capital.

This milestone was achieved through the efforts of many key stakeholders.

“The Connecticut Green Bank is a leader in the green energy movement, but the rapid growth of C-PACE wouldn’t be possible without the support of our contractors, capital providers, municipal officials, and other stakeholders who have contributed to the C-PACE movement,” said Mackey Dykes, Vice President of Commercial, Industrial and Institutional programs at the Connecticut Green Bank. “There is still significant potential for energy improvements for Connecticut businesses and non-profits, and we look forward to bringing cleaner and cheaper energy to more building owners across the state.”

The Connecticut Green Bank’s success, and that of the C-PACE program, has led to the Green Bank being used as a model for other states.

“It is an honor for the Connecticut Green Bank to be named the Ash Center’s Innovations in American Government Award recipient for 2017,” says Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “As cities and states across this country confront climate change, green banks can help mobilize more private investment and accelerate the growth of their local green energy economies.”

Recognized by Harvard for its “Sparking the Green Bank Movement” nomination, the Green Bank is the first of its kind in the United States and continues to be a thought-leader in green financing innovation. Established by Governor Malloy through bipartisan support from the Connecticut General Assembly in July of 2011, the green bank model demonstrates how public resources can be better invested in ways that mobilize private investment in local green economies. From greater deployment of green energy by local contractors, to lowering consumers’ energy burden, the Green Bank is committed to realizing a vision of inclusive prosperity through its charge to protect the environment.

“The Connecticut Green Bank is an exemplar of how states can meet their climate change reduction targets by working to leverage private-sector dollars to help finance green energy infrastructure,” said Stephen Goldsmith, Daniel Paul Professor of the Practice of Government and the Director of the Innovations in American Government Program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. “The success of Connecticut’s Green Bank is spurring the adoption of similar efforts by states and cities across the country, and illustrates how Hartford’s innovative approach to green energy financing can create jobs, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and lower energy bills.”

Connecticut has been at the forefront of state-level efforts to combat the threat of global climate change. The state’s 2005 Climate Change Action Plan outlined a multitude of specific steps the state could take to help lower greenhouse gas emissions. The state built upon this ambitious plan with the passage of the landmark Connecticut Global Warming Solutions Act, establishing mandatory greenhouse gas reductions targets. The aggressive goals included a 10-percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2020 and an 80-percent reduction below 2001 levels by 2050.

In creating a thriving clean energy market, the Green Bank is advancing a larger mission that not only makes green energy more accessible and affordable for Connecticut families and businesses, but also creates jobs and spurs local economic development. Since 2011, for every public dollar invested, the bank has attracted six dollars of private investment. An estimated 13,000 jobs have been created through the Green Bank, which has also driven a total of $1 billion of clean energy investment across the state. This translates to more than 215 megawatts of clean power, over 20,000 projects, and a reduction of CO2 emissions by 2.6 million tons. As for cost, clean energy prices have decreased by an estimated 20–30 percent.

“The Connecticut Green Bank has sparked a green bank movement. Our simple promise of increasing affordability and accessibility to green energy has evolved into a greater commitment to our stakeholders,” states Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank. “We believe that everything we do, we do to help families thrive and businesses grow. We do it in the interest of achieving inclusive prosperity not only within Connecticut and across the country, but around the world.”

The Innovations in American Government Award is the nation’s preeminent recognition for excellence and creativity in the public sector. The award program receives thousands of applications which are evaluated on criteria to assess their novelty, effectiveness, significance, and transferability. The Ford Foundation created the Innovations in American Government Awards in 1985 in response to widespread pessimism and distrust in government’s effectiveness.

Since its inception, over 500 government innovations across all jurisdiction levels have been recognized and have collectively received more than $22 million in grants to support dissemination efforts.

The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, education, international programs, and government innovations awards, the Center fosters creative and effective government problem solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world’s citizens. For more information, visit www.ash.harvard.edu.

About the Connecticut Green Bank

The Connecticut Green Bank (formerly the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority) was established by the Connecticut General Assembly on July 1, 2011 as a part of Public Act 11-80. As the nation’s first full-scale green bank, it is leading the clean energy finance movement by leveraging public and private funds to scale-up renewable energy deployment and energy efficiency projects across Connecticut. The Green Bank’s success in accelerating private investment in clean energy is helping Connecticut create jobs, increase economic prosperity, promote energy security and address climate change.

Project includes one of the first and largest ground mounted solar-PV systems at a state housing authority

Manchester, CT (June 26, 2017) – The Housing Authority of the Town of Manchester announces the completion of a 125 kW ground mount solar photovoltaic (PV) system that produces electricity from the sun at Westhill Garden apartments. This is part of a $2.7 million project that improves the energy efficiency and reduces utility costs for 275 units of the Housing Authority’s affordable senior housing portfolio.

Manchester Housing Authority was established in 1958 and includes 455 total housing units across four sites.

This solar PV system is the largest ground mounted system serving a housing authority in the state of Connecticut, and among the first at a state housing authority. The electricity generated will serve 199 of the complex’s apartments, as well as the housing authority office. The system is expected to produce energy savings of approximately $25,000 per year and provide additional revenue to the Housing Authority under a long-term Zero Emission Renewable Energy Credit (ZREC) contract between the Housing Authority and Eversource, which should generate approximately $12,800 annually for 15 years.

Under an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Building Technologies Division of Siemens Industry, Inc. installed a variety of energy conservation measures for this project, including heating systems upgrades; heat source conversions (from electric to gas); water-conservation measures (such as low flow showerheads and faucet aerators); and electrical upgrades such as LED lighting. The HUD EPC program provides incentives to public housing authorities across the country to implement energy and water savings improvements to their housing units. By leveraging energy performance contracting, this cost-effective solution pays for infrastructure upgrades with guaranteed energy savings over time.

The entire $2.7 million energy upgrade project was funded with private capital using bonds arranged by the boutique investment bank Crews & Associates, including $1.3 million from the Housing Development Fund (HDF), a Stamford-based Community Development Financial Institution. HDF’s funds for the project came from a program related investment funded by the MacArthur Foundation and secured by the Connecticut Green Bank.

On June 2, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said that Connecticut will join with other states to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement and the state would join the United States Climate Alliance. The alliance was formed by the governors of California, New York and Washington and is “committed to taking aggressive action on climate change.” Malloy said that Connecticut is a “national leader in combating climate change and we have no plans of slowing down our efforts.”

As Eyewitness News 30 reported, Connecticut has been “out in front on clean energy, starting the first in the nation Green Bank,” which “relies heavily on private capital with little tax payer money.”

Chosen from more than 500 Nominations for the Ash Center’s Innovations in American Government Award

Rocky Hill, CT (May 16, 2017) – The Connecticut Green Bank was recently named as one of seven finalists in this year’s Innovations in American Government Awards competition. The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, made the announcement and will host the competition for the $100,000 grand prize in Cambridge.

Recognized for its “Sparking the Green Bank Movement” nomination, the Green Bank was the first of its kind in the United States and has been a thought-leader in green financing innovation since being established in July of 2011. The Green Bank Movement demonstrates how public resources can be better invested in ways that attract more private investment in our communities, lead to deployment of more green energy by local contractors, and most importantly providing positive value to consumers.

“We created the Connecticut Green Bank in 2011 to accelerate the deployment of clean energy in our state in order to promote energy security and economic growth, create new jobs in the clean energy sector, and address climate change,” Governor Malloy said. “Making clean energy more affordable and accessible to consumers by leveraging limited public funds to attract private capital investment is a way that we can make our own positive impact in the global climate change efforts.”

This is only the third time a Connecticut initiative has been honored since the inception of the American Government Awards in 1985. In that time, more than 27,000 nominations have been submitted, with nearly 500 initiatives recognized including from Connecticut the Hartford Action Plan on Infant Health (1986 Finalist) and Supportive Housing Pilot (2006 Winner).

“The Connecticut Green Bank has sparked a green bank movement that is leading to local, state, and national government consideration of public-private partnerships to scale-up clean energy deployment that wisely and strategically uses public resources,” stated Reed Hundt, Founder and CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital, the non-profit organization that nominated the Green Bank.

Stephen Goldsmith, director of the Innovations in Government program at the Ash Center, called the recognized programs “the vanguard of creative, solution-oriented governing, demonstrating that the drive to make government work better and do more comes from all levels and jurisdictions of every size. These programs are focused on an impressive range of areas and some of the country’s most pressing social concerns, including the opioid epidemic, government efficiency and efficacy, environmental conservation, homelessness, and the school and workforce readiness of our citizens.”

“The Connecticut Green Bank is helping consumers and small businesses lower their energy cost burden by providing them with access to capital to finance clean energy improvements on their property,” stated Catherine Smith, Chair of the Connecticut Green Bank and Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we want to recognize all of the finalists in this Ash Center competition, including our Connecticut team. It is terrific to see these government-based innovations now being recognized by this esteemed panel of judges.”

The Green Bank will compete before a National Selection Committee for the distinction of being the Innovations Award winner.

“The Connecticut Green Bank is a national model for green financing innovation,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “This is further recognition that the Connecticut Green Bank has the set standard for attracting private investment in green, sustainable projects.”

“In this time of highly competitive public dollars, the Green Bank has been a great partner in utilizing public-private partnerships to increase energy efficiency programs throughout our state. I applaud the Green Bank for its leadership and ingenuity in moving our state to a more energy efficient future,” said Senator Paul Formica (R-East Lyme), Co-Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee.

“This nomination is a testament to the effective and innovative work they have been able to accomplish since their creation in 2011,” said Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin/Southington). “In six short years the Connecticut Green Bank has put Connecticut on the map as a leader in the clean energy finance movement. They are an invaluable asset to our state, and it is great to see their hard work recognized at the national level.”

“It is no surprise to me that the Green Bank is among the few finalists being considered for the Innovations in American Government Awards,” said Representative Laura Hoydick (R-Stratford), Ranking Member of the Legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee. “The Connecticut Green Bank has been a leader in making businesses, cities, towns and homes more energy efficient, leading to lower overall energy costs for all. They have a proactive model that promotes innovation, and other states would do well to look at their successes and emulate their work.”

“The Green Bank combines innovative thinking with prompt action to solve problems and produce real world results,” said State Representative Lonnie Reed (D-Branford), House Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee. “It demonstrates daily how government can and must play a vital role if we are to truly confront challenges and get things done. I feel incredibly proud that our first in the nation Green Bank continues to earn such national recognition and acclaim.”

About the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation

The Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation fosters excellence in government around the world in order to generate and strengthen democracy. Through its awards program, its research, publications, and curriculum support, and its global network, the Ash Center champions critical milestones in creative and effective governance and democratic practice. By highlighting exemplary government programs, by generating and supporting research and curriculum materials, and by engaging a broad, global community in which knowledge is shared, the Center serves as a catalyst for successfully addressing many of the world’s most pressing concerns and, in turn, improving the lives of its citizens.

The Ash Center is housed at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

About the Innovations Program

The Innovations in American Government Program identifies and promotes creative problem solving in the public sector through a national awards program that confers broad public recognition and monetary grants on innovative government programs. Since its inception in 1985, the Program has recognized over 500 innovative programs (from more than 27,000 nominations), which have received over $22 million in grants. The Ford Foundation is the founding donor of the Innovations in America Government Program.

About the Connecticut Green Bank

The Connecticut Green Bank was established through bipartisan support of the Connecticut General Assembly on July 1, 2011 as a part of Public Act 11-80. As the nation’s first full-scale green bank, it is leading the clean energy finance movement by leveraging public and private funds to scale-up renewable energy deployment and energy efficiency projects across Connecticut. The Green Bank’s success in accelerating private investment in clean energy is helping Connecticut create jobs, increase economic prosperity, promote energy security and address climate change. For more information about the Connecticut Green Bank, please visit www.ctgreenbank.com.

0.99% Financing Available on Bundled Projects or Special Single Measure Offers

Rocky Hill (May 9, 2017) – The Connecticut Green Bank, in association with Energize CT, select local lenders, and contractors, is offering an extraordinarily low rate of 0.99% on home energy improvement loans. The new low rate is being offered as part of the Smart-E Bundle program, which is available when homeowners choose to finance two or more qualifying energy efficiency projects. The rate is also extended to current special single measure promotions such as natural gas conversion and heat pump installations. By bringing the rate down to 0.99%, the Green Bank is encouraging Connecticut residents to both do and save more with multiple energy related home improvements.

There are four types of qualifying bundles that offer popular pairings, including solar PV, high efficiency HVAC improvements, insulation upgrades, and Home Energy Solutions core services. The low interest financing is being offered, in most cases, with no money down on loans spanning 5, 7 or 10 years.

Due to programs like Smart-E, solar energy is helping to power over 23,000 homes in Connecticut. Now with the market seeing a 70% decrease in average project cost, the new lower rate presents one of the best opportunities in years for homeowners who are considering the addition of solar PV to their home.

“Switching to solar just makes good economic sense and Connecticut homeowners are taking advantage of this trend,” said Kerry O’Neill, Vice President, Residential Programs, for Connecticut Green Bank. “Nearly 80% of the homes in this state that have gone solar installed their systems in the last three years.”

The Smart-E Bundle program and promotions on heat pump technologies offer a great opportunity for homeowners to enjoy savings for years to come and potentially increase their property value. General eligibility qualifications for access to Smart-E financing include:

Residential property must be located in Connecticut

The property must be owner-occupied

The property must be a 1 to 4 unit residential building and condominiums must be individually metered

A recent blog by experts at the Center for Market Innovation (Managing Director Yerina Mugica and Welch Environmental Innovation Fellow Sarah Dougherty), posted by the the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), featured the appointment of Betsy Crum to the Connecticut Green Bank Board of Directors and highlighted the importance the Green Bank places on maintaining and creating relationships in the affordable housing sector. At the Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development, Ms. Crum, who is their Executive Director, focuses on developing housing for individuals coming out of homelessness and those earning up to 50 percent of area median income.

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